A new website has been created for The Dictionary of Welsh Biography. It will be launched at the beginning of November 2018 and will include new content, functions and design. Head over to biography.wales now to see what's new!

This website will eventually be replaced by biography.wales. In the meantime, we would like to hear from our users so you're welcome to send us any questions or feedback that you may have.

JONES
,
JOHN ISLAN
(
1874
-
1968
),
minister (U) and author
;

b.
17 Feb. 1874
, son of
Evan
and
MaryJones
,
Tynewydd
(later of
Cornant
and
Melin Llys-faen
),
Cribyn, Cards.
He went to schools in
Cribyn
and
Llanwnnen
(under
DavidThomas
, ‘
Dewi Hefin
’,
DWB
, 942)
until he was
about ten years old. After being a
farm servant
and a
stonemason
with his father he attended the school of
DavidEvans
,
minister (U)
at
Cribyn
, (
1896-98
). He won a
scholarship
to
Jesus College
,
Oxford
, where he graduated in
1901
before proceeding to
Manchester College
,
Oxford
to prepare for the ministry. He won a
Hibbert Scholarship
which enabled him to go to the
Universities of Marburg
and
Jena
in
Germany
in
1904
, but ill health caused him to return home before completing a
Ph.D.
degree course; he gained an
M.A.
degree in
1909
. He spent the prime of his life as a
minister (U)
in
England
:
Accrington
(
1906-09
),
Bolton
(
1909-17
) and
Hindley
(
1917-39
), before retiring to his native district. He was at an advanced age when he was invited to be
principal
of
Carmarthen Presbyterian College
in
1945
; he remained there for 3 yrs., ministering to
Parcyfelfed (U) church
at the same time. He was a man of strong convictions,
proficient in the
cynganeddion
and a
choirmaster
. He published
A brief history of the Unitarian Church, Accrington
(
1909
),
Egwyddorion yr Undodiaid
(
1948
), and his reminiscences,
Yr hen amser gynt
(
1958
), which won him a prize offered by
Ceredigion Education Committee
. There are articles written by him in the
Ymofynydd
(
1905-59
),
Cymru
, and
Trans. Unitarian Historical Society
(see
Glyn LewisJones
,
A Bibliography of Cardiganshire, 1600-1964
). He d. a bachelor,
28 May 1968
.